Clutch for fishing reel



March 30, 1965 A, D. MAURY ETAL 3,175,781

CLUTCH FOR FISHING REEL Original Filed Feb. 2, 1960 I: Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR.

Alfred D. Maury Charles M. Lyon March 30, 1965 A. D. MAURY ETAL3,175,781

CLUTCH FOR FISHING REEL Original Filed Feb. 2, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. Alfred D. Maury Charles M. Lyon March 30, 1965 A. D. MAURYETAL 3,175,781

CLUTCH FOR FISHING REEL Original Filed Feb. 2, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,II "I re aur F /6 .8 Char/es M. Lyon United States atent 3,175,781(ILUTGH FUR FISHING REEL Alfred D. Maury, llion, and (Charles M. Lyon,Mohawk, N.Y., assignors to Martin Automatic Fishing Reel Co., Inc.,Mohawk, N.Y., a corporation of New York A Original application Feb. 2,1964 Ser. No. 6,156. Dr-

vided and this application Mar. 8, 1962, Ser. No.

Claims. (Cl. 242-842) Our invention has to do with fishing reels of thespinning type in which the line spool is fixedly mounted in the reelagainst rotation. The line peels or pays off the spool in a directionaxially thereof and is wound on the spool by a line pick-up rotatedabout the axis of the spool.

The invention has as a further object a unique drive arrangement betweenthe operating crank and the line pick-up assembly which provides for thedirect transmission of torque to the pick-up member upon rotation of thecrank forwardly in reeling the line onto the stationary spool, andfurther provides a frictional drag on the pick-up assembly when the sameis rotated in reverse direction by the line being taken off from thespool by a hooked fish, the magnitude of the frictional drag beingconveniently adjustable in such manner that the reel is operated by onehand.

This application is a division of our copending application, SerialNumber 6,156, filed Feburary 2, 1960.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations andconstructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the reel erabodying ourinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the reel.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view take on line 3-3, FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a view, similar to FIGURE 3, illustrating the pickup memberbeing moved forwardly in line snubhing position.

FIGURE 5 is a view taken on line 5-3, FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a view of the pick-up member looking to the left, FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a view taken on line '77, FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view of the structure shown in the right portionof FIGURE 5 with parts in elevation and parts in section.

FIGURE 9 is a View taken on line 99, FIGURE 8.

The frame of the reel consists of a cup-shaped member 10 having arearwardly extending cylindrical flange 11 secured, as by rivets 12, toa Z-shaped bracket 13 affixed to a tang 14 by which the reel is mountedon the fishpole. A sleeve bearing 15 is fixedly secured at one end tothe frame plate 110 and extends forwardly therefrom, and the forward endof the sleeve bearing is formed with a conical surface 16. The linespool consists of a pair of side flanges 17 fixed to a hub 18 which ispositioned on the bearing sleeve 15 an is held thereon against the frameplate 10 by a snap ring 20, see FIGURE 3. The line spool is fixedagainst rotation as, for example, by the inner flange 17 of the spoolbeing apertured to receive the head of a rivet 22 mounted in the frameplate It).

A pick-up drive shaft 23 is mounted in the bearing bushing 15' and hasboth axial and rotative movement therein. The forward end portion of theshaft 23 is of non-circular form for the reception of a complementalaperture 24 formed in the discoidal portion 25 of the pickup member, themember being detachably aifixed to the forward end of the shaft 23, asby a screw 26. The shaft 23 is relieved on one side, intermediate itsends, to form a curved surface 27 spaced inwardly from the periphery ofthe shaft to provide a shoulder 28 extending substantially of arc, seeFIGURE 7. In an axial direction, the relieved surface 27 is comparableto the thickness of a latch plate 29 formed with an aperture 30 slightlylarger than the diameter of the shaft and through which the shaftextends. The latch plate 29 is pivotally mounted at its upper end on therivet 22 and is overlaid by a plate 31 also carried at its upper end bythe rivet 22 and fixed against pivotal movement thereabout by a rivet 32extending through an aperture in the offset lower portion 33 of theplate. With this arrangement the latch plate 29 is mounted intermediatethe frame Wall 10 and the fixed plate 311, and has lateral swingingmovement about the pivot 22. The latch plate 29 is formed with arearwardly extending car 34 to which one end of a tension spring 35 isattached, the opposite end being attached to an ear 36 formed on thefixed plate 31. With this arrangement, when the shaft 23 is movedforwardly to bring the relieved portion 27 of the shaft in registrationwith the latch plate 29, the latch plate will be moved about its pivot22 to the right behind the shoulder 28, whereby holding the shaftagainst rearward axial movement, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 7. Movementof the latch plate 2f under the influence of spring 35 is limited by ear34 engaging the fixed plate 31, see FIGURE 7, as when the shaft 23 ispressed all the way in to provide for snubbing the line as shown inFIGURE 4-.

Rearwardly of the shoulder 23, the shaft 23 is formed with a reducedportion 36' which is also formed with flattened areas 37 on oppositesides to slidably receive a pinion gear 38, formed with a non-circularbore for engaging the flattened areas 37, whereby the pinion 38 isslidably mounted on the shaft but fixed against rotation relativethereto. A snap ring 40 is fixed to the rear end of the shaft and acompression spring 41 is interposed between the snap ring and the piniongear 38 for maintaining the gear against a cup-shaped spacing collar 43abutting against the plate 31.

The discoidal portion 25 of the pick-up member is formed with acylindrical flange 45 extending rearwardly toward the line spool. Theflange 45 is apertured to slidably receive a pick-up pin 46 which isdisposed radially, the inner end of the pin being mounted in a block 47formed with an elongated aperture 48 to receive a mounting rivet 49fixed in the front wall 25 of the pick-up member. The inner end of theblock is formed with an inclined surface 50 for engagement with theconical and end surface 16 on hearing 15 when the shaft 23 is inrearward position. This engagement by the block with the conical surface16 urges the pick-up pin outwardly through the flange 45 to engage theline 51 extending from the line spool. When the shaft 23 is urgedforwardly and latched in forward position, as shown in FIGURE 3, the camblock 47 is positioned out of engagement with the conical bearingsurface 16 and the pin and block are urged inwardly by a leaf spring 54so that the line may pay freely off from the spool for casting. However,upon rotation of the shaft 23, the cam latch plate 29 is cammed awayfrom the shoulder 23, bringing the aperture 30 in the plate 29 inregister with the inner portion of the shaft, permitting the shaft tomove rearwardly by the action of spring 41, and upon continued rotationof the shaft the pin 46, then projecting radially from the flange 45,engages the line and lays it back onto the line spool in theconventional manner. The spool and pick-up mechanism are enclosed by acylindrical casing 56 formed with a front wall having an annular surface57 merging with a conical portion 58 formed with a line aperture 59.

A bracket 69 has a flange 61 attached to the rear sur d face of theframe plate it). This bracket has fixedly secured to it a bearing 62extending perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 23, see FIGURE 5. Theinner end of the bearing 62 is bored to rotatably receive a drive shaft63, to the inner end of which is fixedly secured a gear 64 meshing withthe pinion 33.

The shaft '63 is formed with an enlargement 65 abutting against theinner end of the bearing sleeve 62. The shaft 63 has an intermediateportion 66 of reduced diameter, on which is rotatably mounted a cranksleeve having an inner cylindrical portion 67, the outer diameter ofwhich is substantially the same as the adjacent inner portion of theshaft 63. This sleeve has an enlarged cylindrical portion 68 interposedbetween the inner portion 67 and the outer cylindrical portion 69 whichis threaded externally.

A crank arm 70 is mounted on the portion 69 against the enlarged portion68 and is fixedly secured thereto. The outer portion of the bearingsleeve 62 is formed with an enlarged bore to receive a close woundtorsion spring '71 which encircles a substantial portion of the shaft 63and the cylindrical portion 67 of the crank sleeve. This arrangement isbest shown in FIGURE 8. The outer end of the spring 71 is bent, as at'72, in an axial direction and is positioned in an axial slot formed onthe intermediate enlarged portion 68 of the crank sleeve, whereby thatend of thespring is fixed to the sleeve. The shoulder 74, formed at thebottom of the counterbore in the bearing 62, is formed with one or morenotches '75, see FIGURES 8 and 9. The inner end 76 of the spring is bentto incline toward bearing shoulder 74 and the notches 75 are inclined ata comparable angle whereby, when the sleeve and spring 71 are rotated ina forward direction, a frictional drag is applied to this inner end ofthe spring, causing the spring to constrict radially into grippingengagement with the shaft 63 to effect a positive or direct drivethereto from the crank sleeve for rotating the pickup assembly to re-laythe line onto the spool.

However, upon reverse rotation of the sleeve and spring 71, the innerend 76 of the spring interlocks in one of the notches '75 whereby thespring is restrained against reverse rotation. However, upon the releaseof the crank, the spring 71 expands away from the shaft against thecounterbore of the sleeve 62, permitting the shaft 63 to be rotated inreverse direction, as when a fish has taken the hook and is paying theline outwardly off from the spool and thereby effecting reverse rotationof the pick-up assembly and shafts 23 and 63.

An arrangement is provided for imparting a variable frictional drag onsuch reverse rotation of the shaft 63. The outer cylindrical portion 69of the crank sleeve is formed with flattened surfaces hi on oppositesides. A cup-shaped spacer 81 is positioned on this portion of thesleeve and abuts against the crank arm 70. A dished spring washer 82 ispositioned upon the portion 69 of the crank sleeve intermediate thespacing collar 81 and a nut 84 threaded on the crank sleeve. The outerend of this nut is formed with a large counterbore 85 in which there ispositioned a friction disk 36 having a non-circular bore fornon-rotative engagement with the flattened surfaces 8t} on the sleeveportion 69. A second dished spring washer 87 is positioned between thenut and disk 86. The outermost portion 88 of the shaft 63 is of furtherreduced diameter and is threaded externally to receive a nut 39. Asecond friction washer 99 is mounted on the end portion 38 of the shaftand it has a non-circular bore for engagement with the flattened sides91 on the shaft, whereby this washer is fixed against rotation relativeto the shaft. The nut 89 is tightened on the shaft against the washer 90which abuts against the shoulder formed by the intermediate portion 6 6of the shaft. ith this arrangement, when the nut 84 is backed outwardlyon the sleeve portion 69, frictional engagement between the disks d6,9%), is increased. The spring '73. holds the crank sleeve againstreverse rotation because of the engagement of the inner end of thespring in a notch 75 in the fixed bearing sleeve. The friction washer 36is fixed against rotation on the crank sleeve, and the washer 99 isfixed against rotation on the shaft 63. Accordingly, any reverserotation of the shaft 63 is restrained by the frictional engagementbetween the washers 86, 90. This frictional engagement is convenientlyvaried by adjustment of the nut 84. This adjustment is made moreconvenient and natural by providing the threaded engagement between thenut and sleeve with a left-hand thread.

The drive mechanism is enclosed by a housing 94 formed with acylindrical flange 95 adapted to encircle the rear end portion of thecasing 56. The bottom portion of the flange 95 is notched to receive themounting bracket 13, and a slot 96 is formed in the top portion of theflange to receive a screw 97 by which both casings 5s, 94, aredetachably affixed to the frame plate 10. The rear casing 94 is formedwith an aperture in one side to receive a tubular member 98 which issleeved on over the sleeve bearing 62. The upper wall of the casing 94is formed with rearwardly projecting cars 99 to which there is pivotallyconnected an actuating member 1% curving rearwardly over the rear casing94 and having an inwardly extending projection 101 for engaging the rearend of the shaft 23 for moving the same forwardly for engagement by thelatch plate 29.

In use, the actuator tilt) is pressed inwardly by the thumb to move theshaft 23 forwardly for engagement by the latch plate 29. In thisposition, the pick-up pin 46 is retracted, and the line is cast, asshown in FIGURE 3. Thereupon the crank 70 is given a partial turn torotate the shaft 23 sufficiently to release the latch plate 2?,permitting the shaft 23 and the pick-up assembly to move rearwardly,whereby the pickup end 46 is ejected through the flange d5 of thepick-up member. If the line is taken out by a fish, imparting reverserotation of the pick-up assembly, such reverse rotation will be resistedby the frictional connection between the disks as, 90, which may bevaried as explained above. If it is desired to stop any pay-out of theline, the line may be instantly snubbed by pressing further on theactuator tea. The discoidal portion 25 of the pick-up member is formedwith a circular series of forwardly extending projections 194. Theseprojections are arranged to engage the inner surface of the annularportion 57 of the front wall of the forward housing 56, see FIGURE 4. Inorder that the line will not be squeezed or compressed between thepick-up member and the forward casing, the projections m4 extendforwardly from the discoidal portion 25 of the pick-up member a distancesomewhat greater than the diameter of the line, whereby the snubbingarrangement in no way injures the line even if it is of themono-filament type formed of plastic material.

What we claim is:

l. A fishing reel comprising a frame, a line spool fixedly mounted onthe frame, a shaft journalled coaxially with the spool and extendingforwardly and rearwardly thereof, a line pick-up assembly mounted on theforward end of said shaft and being operable upon forward rotation tolay the line on the spool, a crank shaft journalled in the frame,gearing operatively connecting said crank shaft to said first shaft, acrank sleeve rotatably mounted on said crank shaft and meansfrictionally cou pling said crank sleeve to said crank shaft, acontractile coil spring clutch encircling said crank shaft and beingfixedly secured at one end to said sleeve and being operable uponforward rotation of said sleeve to grip said crank shaft to effectrotation thereof with said sleeve, and fixed means for engaging theopposite end of said coil spring clutch and restraining reverse rotationthereof.

2. A fishing reel comprising a frame, a line spool mounted on the frameand fixed against rotation, a shaft journalled in the frame coaxiallywith said spool and extending forwardly and rearwardly thereof, a linepick-up assembly mounted on the forward end of said shaft and beingoperable upon forward rotation to lay the line on said spool, a crankshaft journalled in the frame, gearing operatively connecting said crankshaft to said first shaft, a crank sleeve rotatably mounted on saidcrank shaft and a crank fixedly secured to said sleeve, a coil springencircling said crank shaft and being fixed at one end to said cranksleeve, said spring normally having clearance with said crank shaft andbeing operable upon rotation of said crank and sleeve in a forwarddirection to constrict and grip said shaft for transmission of torquefrom said sleeve to said crank shaft, friction clutch means connectingsaid sleeve and said crank shaft, and said frame having fixed means forinterlocking engagement with the opposite end of said spring to preventreverse rotation thereof.

3. A fishing reel comprising a frame, a line spool mounted in the frameand fixed against rotation, a shaft journalled in the frame coaxially ofsaid spool and extending forwardly and rearwardly thereof, a linepick-up assembly mounted on the forward end of said shaft and operableupon rotation of said shaft in a forward direction to lay the line onsaid spool, said pick-up assembly being rotated in reverse directionupon the line being drawn from the spool, a bearing fixed to the frame,a Crank shaft journalled in said bearing, and gearing operativelyconnecting said crank shaft to said first shaft, a sleeve rotatablymounted on said crank shaft, a close Wound coil spring mounted in saidbearing and encircling said shaft, one end of said spring being fixed tosaid sleeve, the opposite end of said spring having yielding engagementwith said bearing upon rotation of said sleeve and spring in a forwarddirection and said opposite end of the spring interlocking with thebearing upon rotation of the spring in reverse direction, said springbeing operable upon forward rotation of said sleeve to constrict andgrip said crank shaft for the direct transmission of torque thereto fromsaid sleeve, a friction disk mounted on said sleeve, a second frictiondisk mounted on said crank shaft, means yieldingly urging said fric tiondisks into frictional engagement, and an operating crank fixedly securedto said sleeve.

4. A fishing reel comprising a frame, a line spool mounted in the frameand fixed against rotation, a shaft journalled in the frame coaxially ofsaid spool and extending forwardly and rearwardly thereof, a linepick-up assembly mounted on the forward end of said shaft and operableupon rotation of said shaft in a forward direction to lay the line onsaid spool, said pick-up assembly being rotated in reverse directionupon the line being drawn from the spool, a bearing fixed to the frame,a crank shaft journalled in said bearing, and gearing operativelyconnecting said crank shaft to said first shaft, a sleeve rotatablymounted on said crank shaft, an operating crank fixedly secured to saidsleeve, a helical coil spring encircling said shaft, one end of saidspring being fixed to said sleeve, said bearing being formed with anotch, the opposite end of said spring having yielding engagement withsaid notch upon rotation of said sleeve and spring in a forwarddirection and said opposite end of the spring having an interlockingengagement with said notch upon rotation of the spring in reversedirection, said spring being operable upon forward rotation of saidsleeve to constrict and grip said crank shaft for the directtransmission of torque thereto from said sleeve, and means frictionallycoupling said sleeve to said crank shaft.

5. A fishing reel as defined in claim 4 and including means carried bysaid sleeve externally of said frame for adjusting said frictionalcoupling to vary the frictional engagement between said crank sleeve andsaid crank shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 850,580 4/07Holzmann 24284.44 1,836,755 12/31 Hirsch 242-84.44 2,006,481 7/35Russell 242-84.44 2,918,227 12/59 Mauborgne 24284.21 2,940,563 6/Milenkovic et al.

3,025,020 3/62 Sarah 242-8445 3,116,893 1/64 \lVood 24284.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,215,596 11/59 France.

807,238 6/51 Germany.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

JC'SEPH P. STRIZAK, Examiner.

1. A FISHING REEL COMPRISING A FRAME, A LINE SPOOL FIXEDLY MOUNTED ONTHE FRAME, A SHAFT JOURNALLED COAXIALLY WITH THE SPOOL AND EXTENDINGFORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY THEREOF, A LINE PICK-UP ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THEFORWARD END OF SAID SHAFT AND BEING OPERABLE UPON FORWARD ROTATION TOLAY THE LINE ON THE SPOOL, A CRANK SHAFT JOURNALLED IN THE FRAME,GEARING OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID CRANK SHAFT TO SAID FIRST SHAFT, ACRANK SLEEVE ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CRANK SHAFT AND MEANSFRICTIONALLY COUPLING SAID CRANK SLEEVE TO SAID CRANK SHAFT, ACONTRACTILE